As many of the older Linux users may know, I am a Registered Architect living and working in the US.I have been using Linux and Open Source exclusively for a few years now. I refuse to use AutoCAD.

I am asked these types of questions all the time.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AutoCAD is the only true Architectural Design program accepted by most professionals. The AIA (an American Architects Fraturnity) almost disbarred me for not using this Windows-based software.While there are NO Linux-based drafting programs to rival the maturity of AutoCAD, some like Archimedes, LibreCAD and SagCAD are gaining popularity 'Worldwide' over the AutoCAD drafting/CAD market. In the next couple of years, I can see these programs giving the Windows-based AutoCAD -- serious competition. QCad and SagCAD save their files in the same DXF format as AutoCAD so my saved files are compatible and viewable on most 'any computer.

Like many Windows-based programs, I never did get AutoCAD to work through Wine or VirtualBox.AutoCAD is very glitchy and unstable, in that regard.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Archimedes-for-Linux (CAD) is not so user-friendly a program/application as one might think. Although this is a good program, the learning curve is steep.

QCad is an excellent architectural/enginnering Linux-based program.SagCAD is a great architectural program for Linux, most similar to AutoCAD.LibreCAD is a new, up and coming architectural-specific rival to AutoCAD and completely Free Open Source.

Blender is a 3D modelling program (similar to Googles' Sketchup) . . . I use Blender for my 3D Perspective Architectural Renderings.

No need to search the web for any of these programs/applications, as they are all in the Debian/Mint/Ubuntu repositories.Simply use the Synaptic Manager, select 'install' . . . Done.If you want, read up on each, check out their respective Wiki pages ... they each, also, have good Help-Forums.

Unfortunately, I am usually busy, either with work or Linux, though I do frequent the LinuxMint Forum - daily. If you need to get a hold of me > I am a Moderator at the LinuxMint Forums (main and spanish forum) and a Debian-Maintainer.

WOW, what a great post for all us Walter Mitty architects among open source advocates!

If you have written more extensively about your experiences using open source programs in your long career, I have not been able to find it. Judging from the number of superficial published articles "reviewing" Linux CAD programs, surely there is a demand for an extensive review by someone who has walked the walk and can tell the story of what it was really like.